Appeal to trace family of war hero's medal

A metal detectorist who found a First World War medal has appealed for help to trace its owners relatives. Stephen Kershaw (pictured) discovered the medal belonged to Pte Arthur Simpson (pictured), from Macclesfield.

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A metal detectorist who found a First World War medal has appealed for help to trace its owner’s relatives.

The British War Medal, awarded to servicemen and their families after the 1918 Armistice, was found on land near Bosley reservoir more than two years ago.

Its finder, Stephen Kershaw, has now discovered the medal belonged to Pte Arthur Simpson, from Macclesfield, who joined the 20th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, but died in the infamous Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Pte Arthur Simpson

Now thanks to the research by Macclesfield Reflects, a website documenting the stories of local people during the Great War, Stephen is hoping to trace relatives of Pte Simpson. He is also hoping to solve the mystery as to how the medal ended up there.

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Stephen, 49, from Stoke-on-Trent, said: “A lot of people think metal detectorists are only interested in finding treasure and making money, but that’s not true. We often come across things we recognise as being very precious to people and want to return them to the owner or their family. Arthur’s medal is the perfect example of this.”

Stephen came across the medal after being given permission to use his equipment in Bosley.

Stephen Kershaw

He said: “There’s an old Roman road and I was looking to find some Roman coins. In the last sweep of the area I got a ‘double dinger’ which is usually a good sign I have discovered something. I dug down about an inch and there it was, in fantastic condition.

“I tried to do some research but didn’t get anywhere. Then someone suggested Macclesfield Reflects and bam – there he was.”

Sadly for Stephen he quickly learned that Pte Simpson died in 1916, aged just 21 he was unmarried and had no children. But he did have sisters and a brother.

Stephen, who took up his hobby five years ago, said: “I’m really hoping Arthur’s relatives can be traced, or at worse that the medal could go on display at his old school or even Macclesfield Cricket Club, where he played.

“It’s 100 years since Arthur died and it would be the perfect tribute to his sacrifice if this medal, which he never got to receive, found its way back home again.”

If you can help Stephen he can be contacted via email at kryton1967@yahoo.co.uk.